Kröst
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland
The Read
Chef
Böðvar Lemacks
Dress
Casual
Why go
A practical Reykjavík pick for a central lunch or relaxed dinner when wine matters more than ceremony. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 gives it a clearer reason to book than many casual downtown options, but treat it as an easy, wine-led meal rather than a destination tasting-menu splurge.
About Kröst
For a return visitor to Reykjavík, Kröst is easiest to understand through the few details that are firmly verified: it is led by chef/owner Böðvar Lemacks, has casual dress, keeps daily hours from 11:30 AM into the evening, has Star Wine List recognition for 2026. Beyond those points, specific cuisine, dishes, prices, menu format are not confirmed here, so the safest recommendation is practical rather than dish-specific.
The practical verdict: consider Kröst when you want a casual Reykjavík meal with a confirmed wine-recognition signal, not when you need a documented tasting-menu format, a named signature dish, or a highly specific dining style. Its posted hours support daytime and evening planning, with later closing from Thursday through Saturday.
Use it for casual ease, not a formal occasion
Kröst should be treated as a relaxed Reykjavík choice. The confirmed dress code is casual, the strongest verified trust signal is Star Wine List recognition for 2026. That makes it most useful for diners who care about choosing a restaurant with a credible wine reference while keeping the overall plan simple.
Because confirmed cuisine, menu structure, pricing are not defined here, the decision should not be based on dish-chasing. Do not book expecting a chef's-counter experience, a named signature dish, or a splurge tasting menu. Do consider it if the priority is a Reykjavík restaurant with casual dress, verified daily hours, a confirmed wine-related recognition.
Daytime is practical; evening is for a longer stop
Kröst opens at 11:30 AM daily, which makes it usable for daytime plans as well as dinner. Closing is 9 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, 10 PM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Those hours make it easier to fit into a Reykjavík itinerary without relying on unverified claims about service style or menu format.
For a broader Reykjavík plan, use this as one piece of the city rather than the sole booking anchor. Pair it with the full Reykjavík restaurants guide, then cross-check hotels in the Reykjavík hotels guide and post-dinner options in the Reykjavík bars guide.
Planning details
- Location
- Laugavegur 107, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- krost.is
- Phone
- +354 519 7755
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Kröst feels intentionally small and quiet: a twelve-seat wine bar that favors precision over spectacle. The room’s compact scale minimizes performance and maximizes attention to the glass, so conversations sit at the center of the experience. The program reads like a cultivated European wine bar—a short, disciplined list focused on France and Italy—so the overall tone is understated and sophisticated rather than theatrical. Service and sourcing decisions register immediately in such a tight format, producing an intimate, low-key evening spot that rewards patience and curiosity.
Best For
This is a venue that suits intimate evenings and solitary exploration as much as a low-key date night. With just a dozen seats and a short, carefully curated wine list, Kröst is built for focused tasting and quiet conversation rather than boisterous group outings. It’s especially well matched to solo diners who want to be guided through a concise, regionally anchored list, and to anyone interested in learning about French and Italian producers in a compact, attentive setting.
Ordering Tips
Expect a short, highly curated wine list and lean on the staff’s choices: the format is designed so the team’s selections matter. Ask for guidance through the French- and Italy-focused list rather than scanning for quantity; the point here is quality and provenance. Given the counter-style, small-room layout, plan to engage with whoever is pouring—let them recommend a glass that matches your appetite. Keep food orders modest and focused so the wines remain central to the experience.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Hlemmur Mathöll, Notable alternative
- Pulsa, Notable alternative
- Noodle Station, Notable alternative
- Reykjavík Kitchen, Notable alternative
- Eiriksson Brasserie, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in Reykjavík
Choose Kröst over Hlemmur Mathöll when wine is part of the decision and the group wants one restaurant rather than a market-hall format. Hlemmur Mathöll is the easier fallback for mixed tastes and quick decisions, but it is less focused as a sit-down wine-led meal.
Pulsa and Noodle Station are better for fast, low-commitment eating. Pick them when speed and value matter more than lingering. Kröst is the better call when the meal needs to feel more like a proper lunch or dinner without becoming a formal splurge.
For a more classic restaurant feel, compare it with Reykjavík Kitchen and Eiriksson Brasserie. Those are stronger fits when the group wants a conventional dinner setting; Kröst is more compelling when central convenience and wine recognition are the deciding factors.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Kröst guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Kröst
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Kröst | Reykjavík | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Hlemmur Mathöll | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Pulsa | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Noodle Station | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Reykjavík Kitchen | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Eiriksson Brasserie | Reykjavík | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
How Kröst Reykjavík compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Kröst?
Treat Kröst as a casual Reykjavík restaurant with confirmed Star Wine List recognition for 2026. The verified details here are limited: chef/owner Böðvar Lemacks, casual dress, daily hours from 11:30 AM into the evening. Specific cuisine, dishes, pricing, menu format are not confirmed in this guide.
What should I wear to Kröst?
Dress casually. The verified dress code for Kröst is casual, so there is no need for formal wear.
What are alternatives to Kröst in Reykjavík?
Other Reykjavík options to consider include Hlemmur Mathöll, Eiriksson Brasserie, Reykjavík Kitchen, Noodle Station, Pulsa. Use Kröst when its casual setup, daily hours, Star Wine List 2026 recognition fit the plan.
Is Kröst good for a special occasion?
Kröst is best framed as a casual Reykjavík option rather than a confirmed formal-occasion restaurant. If the occasion depends on a specific tasting menu, signature dish, or service format, those details are not verified here. If casual dress and a recognized wine signal are enough, it can still fit a relaxed celebration.
Is daytime or evening better at Kröst?
Kröst opens at 11:30 AM daily, so it can work for daytime plans as well as dinner. It closes at 9 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, at 10 PM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Choose the time that best fits your Reykjavík schedule.
